From the President & CEO  

During National Bison Month in July, we provided a variety of updates on the Crane Trust’s herd of American Bison. This magnificent species plays an important role in our native and restored prairie habitat, which greatly impacts the annual migration of the Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes. Did you miss our recent virtual bison programs, or would you like to see them again? You can find our public bison session on our YouTube page. The member-exclusive bison virtual program with Tim Smith, Director of Land Management is available on the membership portal. We are extraordinarily grateful for those of you who have financially supported our bison program as well!

Below you will find several important reports from the Crane Trust. Our team is focused on habitat work throughout the field season. 

Watch for updates this fall on booking your spot to witness the spring migration of Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes! Just a reminder, Crane Trust Members receive priority booking in our overnight VIP program as well as our public viewing blinds. 

With continued gratitude, 

Brice Krohn
President & CEO 

Science & Research Updates

The Crane Trust Science Team has been busy out in the field! Since April, they have completed 86 bird surveys, 40 anuran surveys, 30 vegetation surveys and 42 butterfly surveys. Small mammal monitoring, slough fish surveys, bison fecal parasite assessments and Whooping Crane behavioral surveys are scheduled for the fall. This is all part of our Long-Term Biological Monitoring Plan that began in 2015.  This helps us keep a pulse on the health of the entire ecosystem upon which the birds we know and love (Whooping Cranes and Sandhill Cranes) rely on each migration season!

However, cranes aren’t the only birds that rely on this unique grassland-riverine ecosystem. During this year's breeding season (May 22 to July 15), our Science Team documented 80 different species of birds. Red-winged Blackbirds, Brown-headed Cowbirds, Dickcissels, Bobolinks and Western Meadowlarks were the most common species. If we had the space here, all 80 species are truly worth mentioning because they all have value in this environment. 

Nature & Visitor Trails Named

If you have explored our trails behind the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center recently, you may have noticed some new signs. We are thrilled to dedicate our trail system to great friends of the Trust, Doug and Allison Frey.

Doug and Allison are passionate champions for wetland habitats in Nebraska and for vital ecosystems worldwide. They personally embrace experiences in nature and have raised their family to enjoy, appreciate and advocate for the great outdoors. From Doug’s role as a Wetlands America Trust, trustee, to Doug and Allison’s membership in the Ducks Unlimited President’s Council, to their generous support of Crane Trust’s land acquisition efforts, they are dedicated to saving critical wetland resources for wildlife. Click here to read more about the dedication of the Frey Trails.

Outreach & Education

It has been a lively summer at the Nature and Visitor Center with field trips, family programs and guests from across the country stopping in every day. Additionally, we have had a wonderful run of monthly Potluck & Speaker Series events in partnership with Conservation Nebraska. Engaging topics from beekeeping to bird photography have amazed and informed audiences all summer. We are grateful to Billie Herron (potluck coordinator), Conservation Nebraska, our guest speakers and our attendees for making this series a success! 

For upcoming Speaker Series programs and other events, please follow Crane Trust on Facebook.

Recent topics and speakers:

• Our Adventures with Honey Bees: Tyler Benson and Doug Koopman 
• The History and Importance of Crane Trust to Cranes: David Baasch, Ph.D, CWB
• A Film of Sandhill Wetlands: Ted LaGrange
• Life Underground: Wet Meadow Discoveries: Abraham Kanz, Research PhD Candidate
• Bird Nerd Photography: Colleen Childers

Thank you for your continued engagement and interest in Crane Trust happenings!